Newcastle United have been handed fresh hope in their pursuit of signing Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock.
Willock, who became the youngest player in Premier League history to score seven goals in seven consecutive games while on loan at Newcastle last season, was left out of their squad entirely to face Tottenham Hotspur at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
His omission from the squad has led to fresh speculation over a potential return to Newcastle but, as of Friday, the Magpies were still waiting for an answer on their offer to bring him back to St James' Park.
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Arsenal have dragged their feet over the prospect of Willock leaving all summer with both a loan and a permanent transfer discussed behind the scenes.
Talking about the future of Willock and his team-mate Hector Bellerin last Sunday, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: "I don't know.
"I'm going to coach them and train them, and respect and look after everybody because they are our players.
"Hopefully they can have their minds here and prepare here because they are Arsenal players and our job is to make them as good as we can."
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has made no secret of his desire to sign Willock this summer, declaring him the Magpies' number one target.
Although suggesting that there would come a 'cut-off point' in Newcastle's wait for Willock, the United head coach has also admitted he would kick himself if he left Arsenal on loan and his destination was not St James' Park.
We are expecting to hear more from Arteta in his post-match press conference around 4:30pm.
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